I'm Anything But Ordinary

11 December 2005

I can't believe it. It's 5:14 on a Saturday afternoon and I've already been yelled at twice for being "too loud" during quiet hours. I HATE 24 hour quiet hours. NO ONE is studying right now nor will they start until sometime tomorrow. I strongly dislike Miami RA's enforcement of corridor policies. Grrrr.

Today has been a good day. I woke up at noon and Steffie and I went to Erickson for brunch. We had never been and the food had actually been very good. Then we had our secret santa gift exchange. Tierionna was my secret santa and she got me a Miami tote and a little stuffed frog. Verrrry cute! I think Lanita liked her gifts too. I mean, I got her chocolate, you can't really go wrong there. Then Steffie, Marissa, and I went to the Rec. Nothin special. We just did some abs, lifted weights, and I got a bike for half and hour. I feel pretty good and I think I should go with them more often. The idea of working out always makes me not want to especially do it but if I get off my lazy ass and actually work out I find it very enjoyable. So then I showered and here I am. Tonight we're going to a Miami Hockey game. I'm not sure who they're playing but it should be good! Right now though that's all I want to do. Right now I'm so sleepy I just want to curl up and vegitate. Maybe that's what I'll do until we leave.

Flogging Molly comes to Cleveland in February. I wonder if I could find someone to go with me...

09 December 2005

At some point—whether sooner or later—U.S. troops will leave Iraq. I have spent much of the occupation reporting from Baghdad, Kirkuk, Mosul, Fallujah, and elsewhere in the country, and I can tell you that a growing majority of Iraqis would like it to be sooner. As the occupation wears on, more and more Iraqis chafe at its failure to provide stability or even electricity, and they have grown to hate the explosions, gunfire, and constant war, and also the daily annoyances: having to wait hours in traffic because the Americans have closed off half the city; having to sit in that traffic behind a U.S. military vehicle pointing its weapons at them; having to endure constant searches and arrests. Before the January 30 elections this year the Association of Muslim Scholars—Iraq's most important Sunni Arab body, and one closely tied to the indigenous majority of the insurgency—called for a commitment to a timely U.S. withdrawal as a condition for its participation in the vote. (In exchange the association promised to rein in the resistance.) It's not just Sunnis who have demanded a withdrawal: the Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who is immensely popular among the young and the poor, has made a similar demand. So has the mainstream leader of the Shiites' Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, Abdel Aziz al-Hakim, who made his first call for U.S. withdrawal as early as April 23, 2003.

If the people the U.S. military is ostensibly protecting want it to go, why do the soldiers stay? The most common answer is that it would be irresponsible for the United States to depart before some measure of peace has been assured. The American presence, this argument goes, is the only thing keeping Iraq from an all-out civil war that could take millions of lives and would profoundly destabilize the region. But is that really the case? Let's consider the key questions surrounding the prospect of an imminent American withdrawal.

Would the withdrawal of U.S. troops ignite a civil war between Sunnis and Shiites?

No. That civil war is already under way—in large part because of the American presence. The longer the United States stays, the more it fuels Sunni hostility toward Shiite "collaborators." Were America not in Iraq, Sunni leaders could negotiate and participate without fear that they themselves would be branded traitors and collaborators by their constituents. Sunni leaders have said this in official public statements; leaders of the resistance have told me the same thing in private. The Iraqi government, which is currently dominated by Shiites, would lose its quisling stigma. Iraq's security forces, also primarily Shiite, would no longer be working on behalf of foreign infidels against fellow Iraqis, but would be able to function independently and recruit Sunnis to a truly national force. The mere announcement of an intended U.S. withdrawal would allow Sunnis to come to the table and participate in defining the new Iraq.

But if American troops aren't in Baghdad, what's to stop the Sunnis from launching an assault and seizing control of the city?

Sunni forces could not mount such an assault. The preponderance of power now lies with the majority Shiites and the Kurds, and the Sunnis know this. Sunni fighters wield only small arms and explosives, not Saddam's tanks and helicopters, and are very weak compared with the cohesive, better armed, and numerically superior Shiite and Kurdish militias. Most important, Iraqi nationalism—not intramural rivalry—is the chief motivator for both Shiites and Sunnis. Most insurgency groups view themselves as waging a muqawama—a resistance—rather than a jihad. This is evident in their names and in their propaganda. For instance, the units commanded by the Association of Muslim Scholars are named after the 1920 revolt against the British. Others have names such as Iraqi Islamic Army and Flame of Iraq. They display the Iraqi flag rather than a flag of jihad. Insurgent attacks are meant primarily to punish those who have collaborated with the Americans and to deter future collaboration.

Wouldn't a U.S. withdrawal embolden the insurgency?

No. If the occupation were to end, so, too, would the insurgency. After all, what the resistance movement has been resisting is the occupation. Who would the insurgents fight if the enemy left? When I asked Sunni Arab fighters and the clerics who support them why they were fighting, they all gave me the same one-word answer: intiqaam—revenge. Revenge for the destruction of their homes, for the shame they felt when Americans forced them to the ground and stepped on them, for the killing of their friends and relatives by U.S. soldiers either in combat or during raids.

But what about the foreign jihadi element of the resistance? Wouldn't it be empowered by a U.S. withdrawal?

The foreign jihadi element—commanded by the likes of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi—is numerically insignificant; the bulk of the resistance has no connection to al-Qaeda or its offshoots. (Zarqawi and his followers have benefited greatly from U.S. propaganda blaming him for all attacks in Iraq, because he is now seen by Arabs around the world as more powerful than he is; we have been his best recruiting tool.) It is true that the Sunni resistance welcomed the foreign fighters (and to some extent still do), because they were far more willing to die than indigenous Iraqis were. But what Zarqawi wants fundamentally conflicts with what Iraqi Sunnis want: Zarqawi seeks re-establishment of the Muslim caliphate and a Manichean confrontation with infidels around the world, to last until Judgment Day; the mainstream Iraqi resistance just wants the Americans out. If U.S. forces were to leave, the foreigners in Zarqawi's movement would find little support—and perhaps significant animosity—among Iraqi Sunnis, who want wealth and power, not jihad until death. They have already lost much of their support: many Iraqis have begun turning on them. In the heavily Shia Sadr City foreign jihadis had burning tires placed around their necks. The foreigners have not managed to establish themselves decisively in any large cities. Even at the height of their power in Fallujah they could control only one neighborhood, the Julan, and they were hated by the city's resistance council. Today foreign fighters hide in small villages and are used opportunistically by the nationalist resistance.

When the Americans depart and Sunnis join the Iraqi government, some of the foreign jihadis in Iraq may try to continue the struggle—but they will have committed enemies in both Baghdad and the Shiite south, and the entire Sunni triangle will be against them. They will have nowhere to hide. Nor can they merely take their battle to the West. The jihadis need a failed state like Iraq in which to operate. When they leave Iraq, they will be hounded by Arab and Western security agencies.

What about the Kurds? Won't they secede if the United States leaves?

Yes, but that's going to happen anyway. All Iraqi Kurds want an independent Kurdistan. They do not feel Iraqi. They've effectively had more than a decade of autonomy, thanks to the UN-imposed no-fly zone; they want nothing to do with the chaos that is Iraq. Kurdish independence is inevitable—and positive. (Few peoples on earth deserve a state more than the Kurds.) For the moment the Kurdish government in the north is officially participating in the federalist plan—but the Kurds are preparing for secession. They have their own troops, the peshmerga, thought to contain 50,000 to 100,000 fighters. They essentially control the oil city of Kirkuk. They also happen to be the most America-loving people I have ever met; their leaders openly seek to become, like Israel, a proxy for American interests. If what the United States wants is long-term bases in the region, the Kurds are its partners.

Would Turkey invade in response to a Kurdish secession?

For the moment Turkey is more concerned with EU membership than with Iraq's Kurds—who in any event have expressed no ambitions to expand into Turkey. Iraq's Kurds speak a dialect different from Turkey's, and, in fact, have a history of animosity toward Turkish Kurds. Besides, Turkey, as a member of NATO, would be reluctant to attack in defiance of the United States. Turkey would be satisfied with guarantees that it would have continued access to Kurdish oil and trade and that Iraqi Kurds would not incite rebellion in Turkey.

Would Iran effectively take over Iraq?

No. Iraqis are fiercely nationalist—even the country's Shiites resent Iranian meddling. (It is true that some Iraqi Shiites view Iran as an ally, because many of their leaders found safe haven there when exiled by Saddam—but thousands of other Iraqi Shiites experienced years of misery as prisoners of war in Iran.) Even in southeastern towns near the border I encountered only hostility toward Iran.

What about the goal of creating a secular democracy in Iraq that respects the rights of women and non-Muslims?

Give it up. It's not going to happen. Apart from the Kurds, who revel in their secularism, Iraqis overwhelmingly seek a Muslim state. Although Iraq may have been officially secular during the 1970s and 1980s, Saddam encouraged Islamism during the 1990s, and the difficulties of the past decades have strengthened the resurgence of Islam. In the absence of any other social institutions, the mosques and the clergy assumed the dominant role in Iraq following the invasion. Even Baathist resistance leaders told me they have returned to Islam to atone for their sins under Saddam. Most Shiites, too, follow one cleric or another. Ayatollah al-Sistani—supposedly a moderate—wants Islam to be the source of law. The invasion of Iraq has led to a theocracy, which can only grow more hostile to America as long as U.S. soldiers are present.

Does Iraqi history offer any lessons?

The British occupation of Iraq, in the first half of the twentieth century, may be instructive. The British faced several uprisings and coups. The Iraqi government, then as now, was unable to suppress the rebels on its own and relied on the occupying military. In 1958, when the government the British helped install finally fell, those who had collaborated with them could find no popular support; some, including the former prime minister Nuri Said, were murdered and mutilated. Said had once been a respected figure, but he became tainted by his collaboration with the British. That year, when revolutionary officers overthrew the government, Said disguised himself as a woman and tried to escape. He was discovered, shot in the head, and buried. The next day a mob dug up his corpse and dragged it through the street—an act that would be repeated so often in Iraq that it earned its own word: sahil. With the British-sponsored government gone, both Sunni and Shiite Arabs embraced the Iraqi identity. The Kurds still resent the British perfidy that made them part of Iraq.

What can the United States do to repair Iraq?

There is no panacea. Iraq is a destroyed and fissiparous country. Iranians and Saudis I've spoken to worry that it might be impossible to keep Iraq from disintegrating. But they agree that the best hope of avoiding this scenario is if the United States leaves; perhaps then Iraqi nationalism will keep at least the Arabs united. The sooner America withdraws and allows Iraqis to assume control of their own country, the better the chances that Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari won't face sahil. It may be decades before Iraq recovers from the current maelstrom. By then its borders may be different, its vaunted secularism a distant relic. But a continued U.S. occupation can only get in the way.

Copyright 2005 The Atlantic Monthly Group. Reprinted by MoveOn.org Political Action with permission. All rights reserved.

07 December 2005

Every time winter rolls around I think I hate snow and how miserable it makes me. Then it actually gets to the point where the snow's here and my mind's telling me I should hate it because in just a few months I will but I don't. I was walking home from Italin a little bit ago and although I was freezing and I had left my gloves back in the dorm I was still kinda happy to be outside and in the snow. Maybe I'm just saying this now that I'm sitting in my snuggly warm dorm and happy because I really don't HAVE to leave it again but it felt good to be out in the cold and to see snow falling. Oh well, it could just be me.

I finally finished The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner. My reading has been seriously handicapped by my college experience. I use to love reading for pleasure but now it seems like I should have better things to do. But I did get it read and now I've started on A Light in August. The last of the Faulkner books I'm making myself read. So far I like it the best out of the three books. Probably because it's the easiest to follow. I would have been totally lost in The Sound and the Fury if it hadn't been for sparknote.com. I mean, I got that Benjy was mentally handicapped but I had no idea his portion of the story had flashbacks. It was just one continuous strain of conscious. And Quentin's story? Oh goodness! Four pages would pass without a period! It was almost harder to read then Benjy's section. I'm glad I am now able to say I have read The Sound and the Fury, but don't ever expect me to do it again. I think the reason I like A Light in August the most is because it actually is told in a way that the reader can comprehend the story. I actually like the characters in this book! But I also kinda want to get it read because once I finish I think I'll start The Lord of the Rings (again). I normally read them around this time of year and I've been bitten by the Tolkien bug [hehe] quite badly. I think I'll start with the Silmarillion, then read The Hobbit, then the Trilogy. I'll see if that's calmed me after I finish those but I do have other Tolkien books to read too. I'm sick of reading books I'm not sure if I'll like. The last couple of books I've read have been a real bust. But you know me -- I can't just stop in the middle of a book. I HAVE to finish it.

But right now all I want to do is curl up in bed and watch the I Love the 80s marathon on VH1. So that's what I'll do.

05 December 2005

I can't believe this weekend went by so fast. There was basically none of the sitting around and doing nothing that I've come to associate with weekends and Miami U. It was a very nice weekend though. Friday we went to Taco Bell and Kroger. Always a good time -- never dull. We rented Harold and Kumar go to White Castle and, believe it or not, it was a fantastic movie. :Thank You, Come Again: Oh so funny!

Yesterday Lindsay and I went to Mary's Madness Sale and got holiday presents for friends and family. I got Alex and Kenny Miami shirts, my Secret Santa a Miami clock and stuffed bear with a shirt saying I Heart Miami, my mom the same bear only smaller, and a pretty wind chim for my Grandma. All of that for only $40! It was fantastic. Then we went to the Miami vs Michigan hockey game which was pretty insane. I have to say it was my first hockey game but I don't think it'll be my last. It was crazy to watch. I heart hockey fights :) Then we went to see Rent for the THIRD time! Amazing movie. It's coming to Cleveland in February and we're gonna get tickets. I can't wait to see it on stage again. The movie's good and everything but it can't compete with the show and I just have to see it again.

Today's been very low key. I helped Lindsay and Steffie tape their English project and that's about all I've done. I really should study for Italian and read some of my book because I really want to get that done before break but I just lack all motivation. I've been watching movies all day! I have to go to the library tomorrow and I'll get all my work done then -- really, I promise! We're getting East Quad delivery tonight and for some reason that really makes me excited. Is it sad that that's the highlight of my day? NO! Because that means I haven't had to do anything else all day!

03 December 2005

It's marvelous to have my blog back. I've missed it bunches and bunches.

It's the weekend and that makes me happy. I've basically been asleep all day. I woke up at 8:15 for my 9am but after class got out I came back to my dorm and went back to sleep. So here I am, still in the dorm. It's very warm and comfy here all curled up in my blankets, and it's very cold and windy outside so I'm very happy here. I don't have any plans until later tonight so maybe I'll just stay here! We're making a Taco Bell / Kroger run but that isn't until Steffie gets back from dance. Tomorrow we're getting some Christmas shopping done and going to see Rent again. Ah, Rent. One of the best movies EVER!

Only 13 days until I'm home for the holidays. I'm really excited and looking forward to it. I love it here. My friends are great, the school's fantastic, and the freedom's unbelievable. But I miss home too and Chanda'll be home this time and I haven't seen her since August. I just want finals to be over and the holiday spirit to begin. Only 19 days until Yule!!!!

14 November 2005

Who knew you could have so much fun in the audience of a show. Yesterday we went to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Presser Hall. Stage Left was putting it on, and while we were technically suppose to be doing tech for the show, we never showed up so we went to see the show. It was fantastic! One of the audience phantoms asked me if I'd do Rocky and, of course, I said yes. I mean, it seemed very appropriate considering the environment we were in. The highlight of the show had to have been when one of the other phantoms came over and began molesting us. He moved from me and Lindsay, to Lindsay and Steffie, to Steffie and Becca, then proceeded to sit on Tish's lap, then layed across Becca, Steffie, and Lindsay, before finally giving me a two second lap dance and moving on. It was hysterical! Especially when he sat on Tish's lap. The show itself was incredible as well. Frank-n-Furter was on par with Tim Curray himself! The boy looked and sang just like him. There wasn't really a weak actor on that stage. It's was strange that Eddie was played by a chick but I've known of other instances when that was done and I'm sure there was a reason very similiar to those circumstances that gave a girl a guys part. I was very disappointed in the sound crew however. Very bad feedback and the mics and speakers didn't work half the time. Boooo! Seeing Rocky last night made me realize how much I miss the theatre. I always knew that I did but I thought it was more of I missed the PAC and the people there. No. I miss the theatre, that's all there is to it. I'm finding out about working at the big theatre next semester. I wouldn't do well working at Stage Left. There isn't enough tech for me.

This is the last full week before I go home for Thanksgiving. I can't wait to go home. Then I'll be ready to come back and see my quad and other friends until Winter break. Then I'll be rested and ready to start over. I can't wait to see Tom either. I really miss him. Next weekend should be just as good as this weekend. We're going to a Cocktail Party for Steffie's dance team, possibly going to see Rocky again, and seeing a basketball game that Steffie's dancing at. I think this next week and a half will fly by.

12 November 2005

Dear Greg,I have a boyfriend who keeps breaking up with me. He also keeps calling me and begging me to get back together with him, each time telling me that he misses me so much and has made a terrible mistake. He's done this three times now, every six months. I hate it, but I keep taking him back because I love him. I keep telling myself that he must be really into me, if he keeps coming back -- right?ChristinaDear YO-YO CHAMPIONFunny how you notice how many times your dude comes crawling back to you, while I notice how many times he's told you that he doesn't ever want to see you ever again. For both of us that number is three, but I'll put money down that the breakup count isn't over yet. Because sadly this is what that guy is doing your relationship recess: HE'S SNIFFING AROUND FOR SOMETHING BETTER, AND WHEN HE DOESN'T FIND IT, HE GETS LONELY AND COMES "HOME." It's not that he's so into you. It's that he's so not into being alone. Don't give him the chance to break up with you for the fourth time. (God, even the idea of it sounds beneath you, doesn't it?) Reset your breakup maximum to ONE and move one.

08 November 2005

I can't believe my week started like this. I lost both the b and v keys on my laptop keyboard. I called the MU IT guys and they told I had to call IBM and see what they said. So then I sat on the phone with some sweet little man with a Georgian accent for half an hour and finally he was able get a new keyboard shipped to me. It seemed like an awful lot of work to replace the entire keyboard on my laptop for two missing keys (espeically since I still have the keys and it seems to me that they'd be easy to replace) but that's what he said he'd do so I guess I shouldn't complain -- I'm getting the problem fixed afterall. Today though I guess I'm glad I'm getting a new keyboard because now my c key and my space key aren't working very well. The c key is very hard to push and the space key only works half the time. I seriously fucked up my laptop! I never realized how much I use the b and v keys until now. So anyways, they're shipping it home and I told my parents not to worry about it and I'll just fix it when I come home but now I'm beginning to wonder if I can last for two weeks with my laptop like this. It's the space bar that's getting to me the most. I hope I can. It's just not worth having it shipped here if I'm coming home soon.

Not sure what I'm doing tonight. I'm at the library right now and I just finished all my homework so I won't have much to do when I get home. Steffie and Lindsay are planning on going to the rec sometime today but I'm not sure if they want me along. They planned going without me and Lindsay only casually mentioned it to me so I think I'm on my own tonight. That's mostly okay with me. I'm not really one to go to the gym and I'd probably just hold them down. Especially Steffie. She's a lot more athletically conscious then I am. I don't know what's really wrong with me right now. I don't think I feel left out of anything in particular. I miss home and my boyfriend a lot. I feel as if Lindsay doesn't want anything to do with me lately and Becca's with Tish all the time. Steffie likes her quiet time just as much as I do so I tend to let her be a lot. I think I'm mostly bummed about the Lindsay situation. I just can't do anything right concerning her as of lately. I wish I knew what to do but whatever I tend to try it always backfires. Maybe I'll let her be too. I really love my friends here and I think they're great but there are times when I don't know how to act around them yet. There are times when I do things all wrong. I need a break. I need Thanksgiving. 15 days left. I hope things get better when we come back from break.

06 November 2005

I'm just killing time until Bill Cosby tonight. This weekend's parents weekend and most everybody's parents are here -- except mine. "I'll make my own parents weekend." is what my Dad told me when I asked if he was planning to come to parents weekend. Oh well, I don't really mind too much. [cut]Lindsay's parents didn't come either so I thought we'd have a nice weekend together but that's not what she had in mind. There are basically only four words I've heard from her this weekend. "I have no parents." Look, I'm really sorry your parents couldn't make it down here this weekend but I want to be here and make you feel better. But obviously I'm not good enough and anytime I try to make things better is a worthless attempt. You know, I'm really trying here. My parents aren't here either and I thought we could have a nice weekend together. Just the two of us. We could do all sorts of fun things together and I could help you any way I can. But just like the other times I've tried, it's never enough and I'm not appreciated. That's it. You make me feel unappreciated. You use to be my best friend here and I felt so very close to you. But lately I'm not worth shit in your eyes. Thanks. That's all I can say. Thanks.[/cut]

*Went off on rant... cut it so you have to view full entry to see it. I feel better now*

So I'm going to Fiesta Charra with Becca and her parents for dinner and then it's off to Bill Cosby. I think it should be good. I mean, it's Bill Cosby, he's amazing! I just hope I'm hungry enough for Fiesta Charra. I had Quiznos like 2 hours ago but I'm still stuffed. Maybe I shouldn't have eaten anything... Boooo! I have to be hungry enough for Fiesta Charra!!!

04 November 2005

I thought I had my life figured out. I was so excited. I was gonna double major in Anthropology and History with a minor in an area concentraition of Africa. But now I'm not sure. I went to talk to my academic advisor and she told me the two Anthropology classes I want to take this semester are already filled. Boooooo! I knew this was gonna happen. After all, there is only one section in each of them. Now I need to sit down and figure everything out agian. I thought I had done this already! I was so excited. Oh well, I guess it isn't the end of the world. If I don't get into the Anthro classes I'll get all my Miami plan shit out of the way and possibly pick up some History classes or look into the Religion classes or some of the International Stuides stuff. I just feel weird taking a semester off of my major. It seems like I should have at least one Anthro class every semester. Well, my advisor didn't seem too worried about it. And if she isn't there isn't a reason why I should be, right?

I just got back from taking my Environmental Biology test. It went pretty well. Some of the more complex terms I had some difficulties with but generally it went well. In half an hour I'm off to take my Italian quiz. I've taken so many quizzes in that class I can barely get worked up about it. I really don't have any homework to do. Sometime this weekend I'll probably have English and possibly Italian but I'll save most of it for Monday when I go to the Library. So I guess after Italian I'll come back here and find some other classes to take. I'll make two more schedules. One with the other Anthro class and a History class, and the other with a History class and possibly a humanites or some other class the fulfills a Miami Plan section I haven't completed yet. Why can't my life just be easy and I'm able to take all the classes I want!? Oh well, life isn't easy, right?

At least tonight the quad's doing a Kroger and Taco Bell run. We haven't done anything as the quad for a while and I think it should be fun. Plus, Taco Bell makes everything better!

02 November 2005

November seems to be a month of good things and reasons to be happy. First off, everything is peachy keen in the dorm again. Hostilities have been worked out and drama has subsided. I like days when everyone is friends and conversations, silences, and everything in between is comfortable. I just hope it stays this way for longer then a few days. This weekend I get to see Bill Cosby. Bill Cosby is freakin amazing and I think it should be really good. Becca's going with me and we have great seats. I also have to register for classes for next semester this week. I don't know why but registering always makes me happy. I just seem so efficient when I register for classes. Just no 8 ams this semester. 8 ams? BOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

In just 21 days I'll be home. I haven't really missed home but the idea of getting to go home is very exciting. Even though Chanda won't be home, everyone else will and Tom has something special planned for my birthday (which is in 28 days, by the way!) all I want is sushi from our favorite restaurant... or Panera Bread. Ooooo, I MISS Panera Bread!!! And, I'll get a bedroom to myself for a while. Oh, really need that, really really. I'm a terrible person and can't handle roommates. That's why I'm signing up for a single room next year. We're currently dorm shopping. If you know of good dorms at Miami University let me know :)

Right now we're looking at the four dorms near Bell Tower, come on, it's Bell Tower, do I need to explain anything else? Unfortunatley, one of them's Swing. That's all I need. Hearing my Dad for an entire year, "MY DAUGHTER'S IN MY OLD COLLEGE DORM!!!" Awww, but it would make him sooo happy. Maybe we will, if it's not a sorority dorm, that is. That might dampen the whole shock that I'm NOT working at the Brush next summer. No way in hell. I hated the Brush. Thinking back, I'm not sure how I handled it. I was soooo miserable there never again. Never ever.

28 October 2005

(x) smoked a cigarette( ) crashed a friend's car( ) stolen a car(x) been in love(x) been dumped(x) shoplifted( ) been fired( ) snuck out of your parent's house(x) had feelings for someone who didn't have them back( ) been arrested( ) gone on a blind date(x) lied to a friend(x) skipped school( ) seen someone die( ) had a crush on one of your internet friends(x) been to Canada( ) been to Mexico(x) been on a plane( ) purposely set a part of yourself on fire(x) eaten sushi( ) been skiing( ) met someone from the internet(x) been at a concert(x) taken painkillers(x) love someone or miss someone right now(x) laid on your back and watched cloud shapes go by(x) made a snow angel(x) had a tea party(x) flown a kite(x) built a sand castle(x) gone puddle jumping {~~~ do you mean like flown overseas?(x) played dress up(x) jumped into a pile of leaves(x) gone sledding(x) cheated while playing a game(x) been lonely( ) fallen asleep at work/school( ) used a fake ID(x) watched the sun rise( ) felt an earthquake( ) slept beneath the stars(x) been tickled( ) been robbed(x) been misunderstood(x) petted a reindeer/goat/kangaroo( ) won a contest(x) run a red light/stop sign( ) been suspended from school( ) been in a car crash( ) had braces(x) felt like an outcast/third person(x) eaten a whole pint of ice cream in one night(x) had deja vu(x) danced in the moonlight(x) liked the way you looked(x) witnessed a crime(x) questioned your heart( ) been obsessed with post-it notes(x) squished barefoot through the mud(x) been lost(x) been on the opposite side of the country(x) swam in the ocean(x) felt like dying( ) cried yourself to sleep( ) played cops and robbers(x) recently colored with crayons( ) sung karaoke( ) paid for a meal with only coins. not meals, movie tickets though(x) done something you told yourself you wouldn't( ) made prank phone calls( ) laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose(x) caught a snowflake on your tongue(x) danced in the rain(x) written a letter to Santa Claus( ) been kissed under the mistletoe(x) watched the sun rise with someone you care about(x) blown bubbles( ) made a bonfire on the beach( ) crashed a party(x) gone roller-skating(x) had a wish come true( ) jumped off a bridge( ) ate dog/cat food( ) told a complete stranger you loved them(x) kissed a mirror(x) sang in the shower( ) had a dream that you married someone( ) glued your hand to something( ) kissed a fish( ) sat on a roof top(x) screamed at the top of your lungs(x) done a one-handed cartwheel(x) talked on the phone for more than 5 hours(x) stayed up all night( ) picked and ate an apple right off the tree(x) climbed a tree( ) had a tree house/fort( ) been scared to watch a scary movie alone(x) believe in ghosts(x) have more than 30 pairs of shoes( ) worn a really ugly outfit to school( ) gone streaking( ) gone doorbell ditching( ) been pushed into a pool/hot tub with all your clothes on( ) been told you're hot by a complete stranger( ) broken a bone(x) been easily amused( ) caught a fish then ate it( ) caught a butterfly(x) laughed so hard you cried(x) cried so hard you laughed(x) cheated on a test(x) forgotten someone's name( ) french braided someone's hair( ) gone skinny dipping in a pool/hot tub( ) been threatened to be kicked out of your house or been kicked out of your house(x) loved someone so much you would gladly die for them

23 October 2005

It's just one of those days. I woke up at 12:30 and watched tv. But I think I fell asleep again because the next thing I new it was 2:00. I did manage to drag my booty to the market and get a pretzel for lunch but I've spent the rest of the day infront of the tv watching VH1. Becca's with Tish, of course, Steffie's Grandma came down for a visit, and I'm pretty sure Lindsay is still asleep. I have no idea what I'm gonna do today. Right now reading sounds good. I've almost finished The Fall of Atlantis. That's the one thing that doesn't make me very happy about college. It takes me ages to finish books and I hate that. It shouldn't take me this long to finish a 500 page book! It's been like a month since I started it and I hate that. I'll finish it today. That'll make me feel better. Maybe I'll watch a movie tonight. I'm not sure if anyone will be very socail today, with me at least, so I'll make plans have an enjoyable day by myself. Last night Steffie, Lindsay, and I watched Casablanca and Gone With the Wind. I've seen Gone With the Wind but Casablanca was really good. I think Gone With the Wind would be just as good if it wasn't as long. Oh well, "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn."

Tomorrow maybe I'll take my homework to the library. I heart the library. It's a break from excessive estrogine levels, it's quiet, and, my personal favorite reason, it's filled with books! Wow, it's one month exactly until I'll be home. I don't really miss home but I would like to see Shelby, sleep in my own bed -- in my own room alone, and take a shower without flip flops. Having my mom do my laundry won't be a bad perk either :)

21 October 2005

I joing the anti-drama club on facebook for one reason and one reason alone... I DON'T LIKE DRAMA! Oh well, even as I type this the drama is dissolving and it's all getting better. At least, I hope it is... eeep!

Well, I for one feel a lot better about myself. I'm not as despressed and upset as I have been lately, especially since Tom left. I feel like it might all just work out. I keep checking the ride board for anyone going to New York but I haven't seen anyone lately. I would really like to go up and visit Tom. Right now I think I have a very negative image of Hamilton in my head. Just because Tom isn't very good at describing things :P

Tonight we're trying some restaurant on campus called Panache. I have no idea what it is other then it's suppose to be sit down dinning which is real exciting believe it or not. This weekend should be nice as well. Just quiet and relaxed. We're gonna make cinnamon buns and take our ritual run to Kroger and Taco Bell. I feel like it's been ages since we've done that so it's exciting. I think the weekend will dissolve a lot of the drama too which will be nice. I hope 1 am breakfast will still be up and running in eight and a half hours... I miss my Naked drinks!

19 October 2005

Yesterday I went to the Green Day concert with Carolyn and some of her new friends from Earlham. I had a great time. The concert was amazing and, at one point I was convinced it was never gonna end! We were extrememly late, like an hour and half but it ended up being all good because we missed the sucky opening band from Wisconsin. We came really close to catching one of Tré's drumsticks but we were beside some West Virginia-hickish people and we thought it better just to let them have it. They were creepy... I'm convinced the chick would have bitten me for the little piece of wood! Oh well, it was still really worth it and a lot of fun -- especially after! That was probably the best sleep I've had since I got to college -- stopped hanging out with Billy!

I took some pictures while I was at the concert. A lot of them are blurry and not too hot but some of them are pretty good... especially some of the close-ups of Billie Joe! Here's a link to my photobucket since modblog's galleries don't work *grrr* Green Day Concert

17 October 2005

I don't think I could have asked for a better weekend. He came down and it was the best experience ever. We spend all Saturday and most of today together. I showed him the campus, we ate at Shriver, we even kissed under the arch at midnight. That had to have been the happiest I've been in a long time. I didn't realize how much I really missed him until he was here and I realized it was soon time to say good-bye. This weekend went by so fast. I just wish he was back here again and he could me in his arms. Waking up beside him was one of the best experiences of my life. I hate that we chose to be independent and went off to different colleges 10 hours away. I hate not being able to see him. I miss him so much and I just want to be with him again. I had no idea I would get this upset, I wish I wouldn't get this upset. I have great friends here and I'm really happy. I heart the quirky quad and I know they'll always be there for me. I just forgot how wonderful he was and I want to see him again. And I will, in 38 days.

On a lighter note, the Green Day Concert is tomorrow and I get to see Carolyn. I'm looking forward to that

14 October 2005

This is a change! Today I'm blogging from King Library. My Environmental Biology class got out waaay earlier then I was expecting and I had some time to kill before Italian. I really like this library. I wish it was closer to home. Speaking of home, I get it to myself this weekend. Tomorrow I'm sleeping in until like 3 in the afternoon! It's gonna be a marvelous day to myself. Tonight I'm gonna get allll my homework done so I don't have to worry about it the rest of the weekend. I have a lot to do but I think I can manage. Especially with the room to myself. I don't know why, even when it's absolutley silent, I still get more done when I'm in the room alone. Strange, I know.

Tom'll be here around 2 on Saturday. I was gonna take him to Bell Tower for lunch but it turns out BELL TOWER'S CLOSED FOR BREAK! WTF? Oh well, boring old Shriver it is I guess. I'm gonna see if he'd be willing to take me to the Panera Bread about 45 minutes away. I know it's a long way for food but hey, it'd be an adventure, we'd be together, and IT'S PANERA BREAD! Sunday he's suppose to take the quirky quad to Wal-Mart. I hope he has a lot of gas in his tank ;)

Monday I'm going to a Green Day concert with Carolyn and some of her friends from Earlham. It's in Dayton and one of her friends can't go so they're swinging by and picking me up. This is really intelligent. I'm going to a concert that won't get me home until about 3 in the morning and I have an 8am the very next day. Smaaart one I am! Oh well, it's Green Day, it's College, and you only live once.

12 October 2005

I guess it can't be helped. And at least I'm not so much of a brat that I can't admit it. A little privacey, that's all I ask for. Make some friends, join some clubs, get off your butt and do something every once in a while. PLEASE!

Tom's coming to visit in four days. I need to go to the bursars office and get him a parking permit. *Sigh* for two whole days I'm gonna have full access to a car. Oh, we're driving EVERYWHERE. I don't really have any special plans right now but we'll figure something out. I get to play tour guide again because I don't think Tom's ever seen the campus before. Hopefully this tour will go better then the Sean / Megan one. I guess it will, I'm not trying to convince him to come here!

Today if I can I need to run to the library to return my CD and possibly return the videos we rented this weekend. The only problem is everyone else is quite busy today. That means I'd have to go by myself. I'm not sure if I like that idea but I may do it just for something to do after Italian. The only homework I'll have is English and Italian and I'm not particularly eager to do either those things. The alone time may be nice anyway. 2 and half days away!!!! This is do-able, I hope.

10 October 2005

My parents came down for the weekend and they were wonderful enough to take me and the rest of the quad to the mall. I got a new pair of pants, a beatles tee, a pretty lacey pink top, and some earrings. It was a lot of fun. Then, we went to The Cheesecake Factory for some yummy food. I had a veggie pasta and, of course, cheesecake. I tried the caramel apple streusal cheesecake. Oh my, if I could orgasm, I would have. I think Steffie did though. She got chocolate peanutbutter cookie dough cheesecake. It's like it was made for her and only her. The look on her face was pure bliss. Fortunatley, I have lots of yummy leftovers sitting in my fridge right now. That makes me veeerrrry happy.

I was suprised to discover how much seeing my parents affected me. Now I have that original freshman homsick feeling all over again. I think it's more of the thought of an empty room, clean shower, my bed, and my puppy Shelby then anything else really. One of those things I'll get next weekend and it's the only I really miss (other then Shelby) so I'll be okay. I just spend extra time with the quad and feel all better.

Tomorrow Becca and I are going to Shriver to get tickets to the Billy Cosby show. He's coming November 5 for Parent's weekend. Bill Cosby for $33 isn't bad at all. I think I have a lot to do this week. Right now I should write at least three pages in my English journal, do my Italian, and put together all my stuff for IDS. I think I may have an Italian project on Bologna due this week. It may be next week though. Oh no, oh no, getting stressed. Deep breaths. It's not all due tomorrow. I don't know how Becca procrastinates. I can't handle it!

08 October 2005

I've been getting very tired of only posting in my Live Journal. I missed you ModBlog! Talked to Chanda today. Found out one of our good friends is gay. As soon as I listened to the voice mail I knew exactly what she was talking about but I'm really happy for him. It turns out he had a boyfriend over the summer and he's an Abercrombie and American Eagle model!!! Holy shit! I wish I could bag a model... or an athlete... Grady Sizemore in particular (note currant mood).

Tomorrow my parents are coming down... joy and rapture. Oh well, they're taking us shopping and us in all our freshman glory do not have cars and therefore are really looking forward to the trip. We're also bowling tomorrow. It's a benefit bowl for Big Brothers Big Sisters so not only are we bowling but we're bowling for a cause. Tonight I think we're staying in because it's like 45 degrees outside (boo, hiss Ohio!) and it's just too cold to go out. We rented The Rocky Horror Picture Show and I think we'll watch that... and play Mario Cart, of course!

I can't wait to get my full blog up and running again! I missed my little corner of the internet!

30 September 2005

~~~~ Calm

I have my academic adivisng meeting in t-minus 35 minutes. Woo-hoo I'm uber excited, can't you tell? I mean, I just want to register for my classes, know what I'll take and leave it at that. That'd be nice. But noooo, we have to sit down and talk about our 'goals'. Screw goals. I discussed them with the head of the Anthropology department and I know I got farther with her then I would with any chick who lives in my dorm. My dream schedule for next semester?Well, here it is:Archeological Anthropology 212Biological Anthropology 255Arabic 101Geology 111Geology Lab 115Classic Greece 101

Oh, my idea of a good time! Of course I have some alternatives but we won't talk about those, they aren't good enough for me ;)

I have a three day weekend this week. My english class was cancelled and I have no other classes Frieday. Tomorrow I plan to walk to the Planned Parenthood, I only have two weeks left on my pill pack, and maybe do some other stuff alone. I was gonna head over to Kroger and get that freeze medicine because I had some creepy skin tag on my neck but I ripped it off today(disgusting, I know) so I guess I don't have to worry about that, oh well! Shit, maybe I can't do that tomorrow, Lindsay has to convert all my change to cash before I can go and pay. Maybe I'll just go in and talk to them tomorrow. See if I need my files transferred from Wooster or if I need to entirely start over, you know, get the 411. I hate going to Planned Parenthood. They're always so nice but in a "poor girl's gonna be pregnant by 20" way. Ummm, I haven't had sex in a year, I just take the pill to control my killer cramps! I swear! Oh well, I guess I'm the exception other then the rule in this scenerio. *sigh* I hate this, why can't the online birth control be legitimate? Oh well, I just have to swallow my pride and go check it out. Maybe I should write a check to the bursars office and use that cash. My parents just put $60 into my checking account. I'll take $40 out for tomorrow. That'll get me two packs, or an appointment and a pack. Or if the prices are different down here, maybe more! *cheers* Money's a bitch, I hate it!

28 September 2005

I'm limited:Just look at me - I'm limitedAnd just look at you -You can do all I couldn't do, GlindaSo now it's up to youFor both of usNow it's up to you: I've heard it saidThat people come into our lives for a reasonBringing something we must learnAnd we are ledTo those who help us most to growIf we let themAnd we help them in returnWell, I don't know if I believe that's trueBut I know I'm who I am todayBecause I knew you:

Like a comet pulled from orbitAs it passes a sunLike a stream that meets a boulderHalfway through the woodWho can say if I've been changed for the better?But because I knew youI have been changed for good

It well may beThat we will never meet againIn this lifetimeSo let me say before we partSo much of meIs made of what I learned from youYou'll be with meLike a handprint on my heartAnd now whatever way our stories endI know you have re-written mineBy being my friend:Like a ship blown from its mooringBy a wind off the seaLike a seed dropped by a skybirdIn a distant woodWho can say if I've been changed for the better?But because I knew you:

Because I knew you:I have been changed for goodAnd just to clear the airI ask forgivenessFor the things I've done you blame me for

But then, I guess we knowThere's blame to shareAnd none of it seems to matter anymore

Like a comet pulled Like a ship blownFrom orbit as it Off it's mooringPasses a sun, like By a wind off theA stream that meets Sea, like a seedA boulder, half-way Dropped by aThrough the wood Bird in the wood

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?I do believe I have been changed for the better?

And because I knew you:Because I knew you:Because I knew you:I have been changed for good.

26 September 2005

I'm not really sure what's wrong. I think I'm more of a gossip then I've ever let on before and sometimes the way I gossip is different then the way the quirky quad gossips. Stephanie will be my kind of gossip sometimes then she'll defend people we gossip about a few minutes later. Now I'm not sure when it's okay to reveal things to her and when it isn't. I've always just had some problems with Lindsay. I think our personalities are so much alike that we don't get along every once in a while. She isn't willing to believe that I have a legitimate religion. She's constantly saying things like "we are all god's children". Um, okay, I'm NOT your god's child. And she's always like "well, I think you are, so that's what I'll say." Hmmm, so are you saying my religion isn't worth shit and I should be categorized under your religion to save me? Fuck off! That's not cool. And normally I don't have any problems with Becca but tonight she went off because we were interrupting her tv show. Wow, it's just a television show, and it's Desperate Housewives at that! It's like against the law to speak for the entire hour Gilmore Girls or Desperate Housewives is on. Goodness Gracious it's just a fucking tv show!!!

Don't get me wrong though. They're really great and I think I have the best friends here I could have possibly asked for. But, they aren't the ones I'm use to from home and that does stink. I miss Chanda and Garrett and Billy and Wally and Bryce and Megan and everyone else that I knew at home. It isn't the same and I really wish I had some guy friends here. I'm really thankful I have Tom. I don't think I could handle all these females if it wasn't for the fact I'm constantly getting phone calls from Tom. I truly know now that I love him and I can easily see myself marrying him someday. Absence really makes the heart grow fonder.

24 September 2005

It's a no-no and I like it? Oh goodness, this Gunther kid is strange. Right now, Bonkers, Looney, and I are watching some music videos on the internet by Gunther. One of the song's all about touching his tra-la-la, his ding-dang-dong. Ummm, pause for awkward silence.

**********************************

Anywhoo, Tom's present came today. I went to pick it up at Wells and now it's sitting all packaged up waiting for me to mail it to him. I'll tell you what it is after I'm sure he's gotten it. I slept until 1 today. Well, that's a lie. First I went to class from 9 to 10 and then I went to bed until 1. Tonight we're going to see Bewitched at Shriver then we're taking the bus to Taco Bell. I think that's all we're really doing. I'm not sure, we've thrown a couple ideas around but we probably won't do them. Tomorrow we might go to Houston Woods and shoot bows and arrows but I'm not sure how we'll get there. I'll talk to Denise, she's the bestes RA ever. I heart Denise.

22 September 2005

I don't know why but I thought I'd just get that out. Things are going well. I think it's because I was worried yesterday that things were going badly that now I know they aren't I just want to proclaim it to the world. I'm not sure exactly what went wrong but I just felt kinda stressed and not too happy but I'm much better now. Everything got worked out and I feel like I've grown from my experiences.

I haven't been feeling too great today unfortunatley. I'm still just feeling kinda sick and yucky and then, to make matters worse, I was stupid enough to stay up until 2:30 last night and I only got 5 and a half hours of sleep. I took a nap today from 10 to noon but I still feel kinda not so good. I'm hoping to get all my homework done tonight then I can get my laundry done tomorrow and relax. I have my Dem meeting tonight at 6:30 and LOST'S SEASON PREMIERE IS TONIGHT AT 9!!! After that though, it's bed for me. I hope to get my Anthropology and Environmental Bio done before Dems then I have about an hour a half to do my Italian, English, IDS, and take a shower. Not gonna happen but I'll figure something out. Just take it one step at a time. You'll get everything you need to get done eventually, you may just not get into bed at 10:30 like you were hoping. 10:30, what a fools dream!

20 September 2005

Today is the first day I've been sick here at college. I'm pretty sure I just have a cold but I still don't like being sick. I decided to stay home so I didn't have to deal with my normal sick for weeks on end deal. I actually feel a lot better now and I think I made the right choice staying home. I really should start thinking of homework no though because I have a lot to do. Let's see, in the order of what I need to get done, it goes like this:

Anthropology: Read ChapterEnvironmental Biology: Read ChapterItalian: Do ExercisesEnglish: Blackboard DiscussionIDS: Read chapter & journal for this week and do one for next week too. Also, write journal about meditating.

I need to write everything out and then it all makes so much sense. Today's Tom's brithday. He's the big 19. That means in 2 months and 10 days I'll be 19 too. In 14 days Sean's coming down to Miami to visit, in 19 days my parents will be down here and in 26 days Tom will come down for his visit. October should be a very good month. I think I'll put off my homework until after dinner. I don't have anything to do after classes today except for a Shriver run so I'll do that and have supper too. Then I'll come back, finish my homework, and make an early night. I don't think I've been getting enough sleep and that's half my problem with getting sick. My immunity is way low and I can't handle it. I'm kinda looking forward to classes tomorrow, I haven't been out of the dorm for extended periods of time for quite some time now.

I think our trip to DC is a bust. It's become too much of a hassle and I don't think the Miami Dems are really going as a group anymore. It sucks but it was becomming too much work. Oh well, I tried.

18 September 2005

This has just been a crazy weekend. We had a first major conflict as the Quirky Quad. Luckily, that's been resolved with minimum impact. Resolved with Coldstone on top of that so everything's splendid now! We actually had a pretty good night last night. We watched Ellen DeGeneras stand up comedy and If These Walls Could Talk 2. It was a very Ellen night. Steff's friend Amy came down from BG and we showed her all the highlights of campus. We showed her the arch around midnight and there were three or four couples just kind wandering around waiting for midnight. The old myth goes if you kiss someone under the arch at midnight you'll be destined to be with them forever. Seeing all these couples that much in love made me miss Tom a lot. His birthday's in two days and I won't even be there to celebrate it with him. The first time since we got together!

At one in the morning we went to our traditional breakfast (okay, so this is like the fifth time we've done it but still). On the way back we saw an ambulence pull into our dorm room. We ran back to see what was going on and it turns out my neighbor got taken away for alcohol poisoning. Let's hear it for college. I think she needed to get stomach pumped but she's back now and I think everything's okay. I just hope they have enough common sense not to party anymore. They probably don't though. I can't believe you can have the grades to get in here but lack so much common sense. Oh well, at least I know I'll never be in that position. Well, I guess I can't say that, getting drunk and getting alcohol poisoning are two completely different things. But I guess since I can't get drunk I don't drink as much thus reducing my risk of getting alcohol poisoning. Thank you genetics, you're saving my life.

Tomorrow we're heading to Hamilton for a little adventure. Tom needs a birthday/anniversary present too. I should do my homework now then. We'll be out all day tomorrow so I'll have no time to do it then. Tonight we're watching Interview With a Vampire and Monthy Python and the Meaning of Life. Pizza is on the menu as well.

14 September 2005

I had my Anthropology class today. I love that class except that it's my 8am. Although today I did get my coffee. Man, I miss coffee. I can't handle 8 am without it. Felicia's mom is coming down soon so maybe when they go to Wal-Mart I'll ask if I can tag along and I'll get myself that coffee maker I've been thinking about for a while. Or, I'll just do as I've been doing, either get my ass downstairs and use the coffee pot there or be sure to get a double shot espresso from the market. Since those are cold I can keep them in my fridge until I want them.

This afternoon I have Environmental Biology a (my favorite class) and Italian. Italian shouldn't be too bad today because there are some skits that have to be performed and we're watching a video and talking about it. It's only a 50 minute class... no problem!

After Italian Lindsay, Stephanie, and I have to go to Wells to pick up a package my mom sent me. I'm actually quite excitied to know what's in this package. My mom claims it's a bunch of "fun stuff"... whatever that means. That's why I wanna pick it up asap. I must know!

Had a pretzel for lunch today. It was possibly the best pretzel I've ever had. Miami really has good food if you know where to look.

13 September 2005

I can't fight it anymore. I need to start packing. I did clean out my basement on Tuesday and everything I needed from there I packed up and brought upstairs. So things like my computer equipment, rope lights, extra pillows, and the cordless phone I wanna take to school are in boxes waiting to go to school. I'm thinking it's about time I start on my clothes. I think after I pack them I'll feel a lot more accomplished and a lot less antsy about the whole process of packing. I leave in exactly a week and I'm pretty sure I have enough outfits I don't want to take to school that I can get most everything packed without much of a problem. Then again, there's still some laundry to do and I just ordered two pairs of cords from delias and I have to wait for them to come in. I'm just gonna have to set out the Rubbermaid tubs I plan to put my clothes in and keep adding things as I can. Let's see... I think I'll put a list of what I need to do on my bulletin so I can keep track of things easier. I have a few lists going as it is but I just wanna make sure I don't forget anything. My mom claims she'll be more then happy to drive down if I forget anything but I don't want her to. First of all, if she does, she'll feel she can come down whenever she wants and that's all I need! Plus it would really make my year if I didn't see my parents or anyone from my hometown (with the exception of Tom, maybe) until Thanksgiving. Yeah, that's my plan of attack.

Yesterday I met Felicia for the first time. It was amazing. I don't think I could have asked for a better roomate even if we did have a 5 page survey to fill out. I was afraid there might be some awkward moments where no one said anything but there wasn't. We just felt so comfortable sharing with one another that there was constantly something to say. And we both talked about equally... you know, not one of us did more talking than the other. We could even interrupt each other (I sometimes do that too much I think) without it seeming rude or unattentive. It was just like we both had so much to share at once we wanted to get everything out! It was nice.

For lunch today I took Tom to the Shack. Today's his last day of work. He's leaving on Sunday. I don't think I'll miss him as much as I miss Chanda. New York doesn't seem as horribly far away as California. Plus, it's kinda a requirement that boyfriends keep in contact more then best friends. I mean, you go to college to make new friends and create stronger bonds then at high school. Wow, that's kinda sad. It's like Chanda and I are going to college to replace on another. I don't think it'll work quite like that but it'll certainly be different. Oh well, the point is, I can't replace Tom without dumping him. And since I don't see that happening I think it'll all be okay. We already have plans to see each other in October. I'm just not as upset now.

Tonight we plan to go to band camp to watch PreGame. I've never actually seen a PreGame. I mean, I've marched in one, but I dunno what it looks like from the audience's view. It'll be interesting. Plus, I have a feeling this'll be my last chance to see Megan before I leave. Sean is looking at Miami for next year! Yay, I can hit on him all the time that way! *Tee-hee*

12 September 2005

I've done nothing today. I slept until 11:30 and took forever to get up and do things. I did get to wake up Lindsay because she slept until 12:30 and that was fun. Then Steph and I also decided to wake up Becca but that plan kinda backfired because Tierionna was asleep too. I swear I thought she'd been at church! I felt kinda bad waking her up. I probably should feel bad getting impatient with Lindsay and Becca because if it wasn't for the fact that Felicia wakes up before me and then I can't get back to sleep after she gets up I'd be asleep til 1 just like them. I did get all my homework done today and I felt quite proud of that. I read a chapter in Environmental Bio and did all of my IDS. Now I'm killing time until the corridor meeting. I think Denise will give us our roommate contracts tonight. I don't think I'm really looking forward to filling these out. I hope they aren't that time consuming. I also hope this is a short corridor meeting because the Indians are playing on ESPN 2 tonight and that means I get to see my Stud Muffin! We're ordering Bruno's Pizza and having a night in. I'm very excited!

10 September 2005

Finally! After all these years of saying I was gonna to it... I finally did. I got my second hole in my lobes and one cartlidge done. I really want two more but we'll see after this one heals. I went with Becca and Lindsay to the piercing place in Oxford called Vertigo. I enjoyed myself a lot but I don't think the same can be said for Becca. She's afraid of needles and even though she claimed she could do it, she completely wigged out and could only get her belly button pierced (she wanted her second lobes done too). The poor girl was the first the guy had met that freaked out BEFORE he even pulled out the needle. Lindsay just got her third lobe. She thinks she wants to go for all the way up her ear. That looks really good on some people (like her for instance) but I don't think I'd look very good. I am an anonmoly when it comes to piercing though. When I got my ears pierced for the first time my ears turned black and blue. This time I won't stop bleeding. I was bleeding when he initially pierced me, I bleed whenever I touch the rings, and I'm still bleeding now. This is just no good. We need to make a CVS run tonight and get some ear stuff but we're waiting for Stephanie to get back from her dance audition... I hope she did well!

Tonight I think will be a movie night. Stephanie's never seen Phantom of the Opera so we NEED to see that soon! And Afterdark is showing Madagscar at Shriver so we'll check that out. Just for shits & giggles.

08 September 2005

I know clubs and activites are a very important part to the college experience but I just don't know how much is to much. Right now I want to get really active in Stage Left, Spectrum, and MU Democrats. Yesterday I walked out of the Stage Left meeting because all I want to do is Tech but the meeting was more of a run-through for actors. They even had a "getting to know you game." I just kinda want to show up, hang lights, rig mics, and run shows. That's what I do and what I love.

Tonight's the Democrats of MU meeting. Now THAT'S something I think I'll be doing, no question. I really enjoyed the meeting, the events planned, and everything about the club. Oh, I need to bring $17 for the meeting. I need to pay my dues and get a kick-ass t-shirt! I also have the Spectrum meeting tonight. We'll see how involved I stay in that. It's really more of a club for gay, lesbians, bisexuals, and transexuals, as it should be. I want to be involved with the group but I'll have to have more incentive then I had the last time I went to a meeting to keep coming.

I'm feeling kinda icky, almost like I want to run and hide from the world. Things were going so well and now they've just hit a dead end. I feel bad because Stephanie went home, had a great time, and now misses her friends and boyfriend. I wanna make her feel better but I know I can't replace the friends she has. Lindsay, on the other hand, went home, had a horrible time, and now is surrounded in so much drama I kinda can't handle it. I know she needs to get out all her feelings and I wanna be there for her but if she loves being here so much I wish she could talk about anything other then how much she hated being home. It's just kinda a downer. I'm sure she'll get better though. It'll just take time, for both of them. And in just a month my parents, Sean, AND Tom are all coming down for seperate visits. I'm looking forward to seeing them all, even my parents, believe it or not. As long as they bring along Shelby.

06 September 2005

~~~~ Anxious

Lindsay and Steph come back today. It'll be nice to go out again. I've enjoyed this weekend to myself, I really go for this away time every once in a while. But I do think it really got better since Becca got home and I know it'll only get even better now that Lindsay and Steph will be here too. I was on my LiveJournal account a few minutes ago and I read an entry Brittany made about being home. She was talking about all these people I know and love: Garrett, Beth, David, and especially Bryce. It did make me miss home a little but more then that it just made me want to see Bryce again. Garrett lost all my respect this summer and I don't think we'll ever be as close as we use to be. As everyone knows, I'm not very found of David for what he does to Carolyn and, while Beth's sweet, she isn't one of my best friends so not to see or to see her has relative indifference to me. But Bryce, Bryce is another story. I haven't spoken to him since Chanda left and I made him promise he'd find a weekend to come down to Miami to see me. I still really want him to do that but I'm not sure if he realized I was serious. Bryce is a special kid. He has this way of making you feel so special, like you're the only one in the world that matters. It'd be a nice change from the assholes here who only care about getting drunk and having sex. I've been very unimpressed my the male population of Miami as a whole. They could improve and I'm still waiting to meet those special guys who I'll form unbreakable bonds with. I should get in contact with Bryce and I should call Wally's parents to get his info. I just wanna talk to them, invite them here, see someone from home, just for a while. Not permanetly, that's not what I want at all, just because I'm a little homesick and seeing a close friend, but not someone too close like Tom or Chanda, would make it all better. Then again, Sean's coming down October 3 and I'll get to see him then! That's exciting!

04 September 2005

I'M LISTENING TO THE INDIANS GAME!!!! I haven't gotten to do that since I went to college. Since I'm in the opposite side of the stat from the Indians none of the tv or radio stations carry the game. However, my marvelous boyfriend has an account to listen to the Indians online. I got his account info and here I am, listening to the game... Grady's in center field right now! *Yay*

So however pathetic this sounds, the revelation that I can finally listen to the Indians games again may be the most exciting part of my weekend. Yesterday and today I've been in Lindsay's room watching movies, reading my book, and playing The Sims. It's sad, I know, but I've gotten away from the world and spending some time allowing myself to regain my composure. It's a big change going from being an only child to living in a room smaller then mine at home with someone else. I'm just glad I have such great friends that trust me already... I've only known them for two weeks! Already Lindsay trusts me in her room... she knows I won't snoop through her things or do anything she wouldn't want me to do. I'm just using her bed to sleep in, her outlet to charge my laptop, and her desk to hold all the things I've brought over from my room. She's called a few times and it makes me feel good that she misses me even though she's at home with the people she's grown up with and care about. When she and Stephanie come home (notive I say come home when they come back to Miami) we're going to Coldstone Creamery *cheers* Becca should be back soon. She only went to OSU with the band and since OSU pounded Miami.... 34 - 14 I think, I have a feeling they'll try to get back to Miami asap.

It's been bothering me when I talk to Tom and Chanda that they have so many friends of the opposite sex. I feel like I'm almost not getting the full college experience since I don't have a group consisting of both males and females. I was always friends with guys at the High School. Now, sure there are the guys like Mike, Matt, Chris, Aaron, and Joe that I like and spend a little time with but I'm always with Lindsay, Stephanie, and Becca. But now I'm beginning to realize that's okay. It's not the same but these girls are possibly some of the best things to ever happen to me. They listen, they care, they do little things that I don't even think of that make our group even that more special. Like, I went to a WSMR meeting and once it got out it was dark, and Lindsay and Stephanie walked to Pearson just to make sure I didn't have to walk home in the dark. They didn't even know when my meeting would end. For all they knew they'd have to sit in Pearson for an hour waiting for me. But that was okay with them. They just wanted to be there for me. That's just amazing to me! I love my friends and I can't wait for them to come home!

02 September 2005

When I was at home I always found time, usually, every other day, to post a blog. But here, it's tough! If I'm not working on my homework, going to classes, or (the thing that takes up the most of my time) hanging out with my friends, I'm asleep! That leaves very little time for blogging. Plus, to be honest, I really don't think about it. I still want to keep my blog running and operational I just hope I'll have more time after school calms down a little and I'm use to my surroundings.

Tonight's gonna be a lot of fun. It's only Thursday but since I only have one class tomorrow and it's only 50 minutes I at 9 I figure I'll be okay staying up tonight. We're making grilled cheese sandwhiches on Lindsay's George Foreman grill and then we're heading Uptown to Sweet Temptations. It closes later this month so we wanna go before we miss out. Plus, Stephanie and Lindsay are going home for Labor Day weekend and Becca'll be in Columbus at least on Saturday for the OSU/MU game. My buddies are leaving me! Plus a lot of the other people on campus are leaving too so I'm basically losing all my friends for the weekend.

My roommate, however, will not be leaving and that's a little disappointing because I was hoping to have the room to myself for once but, oh well. Lindsay's actually giving me her key so I'll lock myself in her room and enjoy the "me time" I haven't gotten in so long. It'll be nice. I'm actually looking forward to the time I'll be having to myself now. Book reading, movie watching, sims playing ahead for me!

Anywhoo, after Sweet Temptations, Becca and her roommate are having a Cookie Party and we're watching White Chicks. So I have an eventful night ahead of me!

29 August 2005

Believe it or not I can actually help someone with computer problems! Lindsay was having some trouble with her virus program so I helped her out. I got her a newer betterer one and set up iTunes and helped her with aim. Now she's taking all the CDs of mine that she likes and putting them on her computer. We're gonna set up a Facebook account for her next. I'm such a good friend *chessey grin*

Yesterday was just amazing. Lindsay, Stephanie, and I spent all day and we also made a new friend in a fellow McBrider named Becca. She's from California so when I said Chanda's at Pamona she knew what I was talking about! We all went to Kroger for some groceries and got caught in the pooring rain. By the time we got home we were soaked and had one of those college moments that I'll never forget.

Today we didn't really do much! We all stayed in bed for a very long time since we stayed up until 3 in the morning. But we did homework and at 4 we went to the Mega Fair at cook field. There I found all sorts of clubs to join including drama, spectrum, stage left, democrats of miami, pro-choice, SOUL, and student campus activities council. I'm not sure I'll do them all but I'll be a part of stage left, spectrum, and democrats of miami. The others may just be icing on the cake! After that was an upside down ice cream party. We went around to all the RAs and got our favorite ice cream toppings and watched Family Guy. I love Family Guy!

Tomorrow is my first IDS class and sign-ups for tech for The Rocky Horror Show. I got Stephanie and Lindsay to sign up too. I think we'll have a great time!

27 August 2005

Classes really aren't that bad. I'm having some difficulty getting up in the morning... especially for my 8 am class. But if I can persuade Danielle to take me to Wal-Mart this weekend I can get my coffee pot and then I'll be golden. I was really nervous about my Italian class but I've even calmed down for that. It's not that bad now that I know what she expects from us. I have my first quiz tomorrow (my first college quiz to be exact *eeek*) and I'm "studying" right now. I probably should put more of an effort into this. I mean, this is COLLEGE afterall. However, most of the Italian letters and numbers are the same as Spanish ones and since everything is spelled phonetically and that's what the quiz is over tomorrow I think I'll be okay. I'm listening to some guy read the months to me in Italian.

I can't wait for the mega fair this Sunday. All the clubs on campus are gathering on Cooke field and we can go "shopping" for activities. I already signed up for the Stage Left Production of Rocky Horror Picture Show. Tech crew sign ups are August 29 and 30 at 8:30 and 7:00 respectively. I could just spot for this show. That wouldn't require too much time and I could get use to the theatre while I stay active. I don't think the Pagan organization here is very active. It's listed under the official clubs but I can't find much information on it. I also want to check out the club that brought The All-American Rejects to campus and see if the SOUL kids are a club or just a job.

Tonight after class Stephanie, Lindsay, and I went uptown for dinner. We ended up eating at La Bodega and it was really good. There's no Panera Bread here but the sandwiches at La Bodega are comprable. I'll finish my Italian then I'll finally have time to finish loading The Sims and start a book before my Corridor meeting at 9:45. Then it's off to bed for me because I have a 8 am class tomorrow I can't handle them yet!

25 August 2005

Classes really aren't that bad. I'm having some difficulty getting up in the morning... especially for my 8 am class. But if I can persuade Danielle to take me to Wal-Mart this weekend I can get my coffee pot and then I'll be golden. I was really nervous about my Italian class but I've even calmed down for that. It's not that bad now that I know what she expects from us. I have my first quiz tomorrow (my first college quiz to be exact *eeek*) and I'm "studying" right now. I probably should put more of an effort into this. I mean, this is COLLEGE afterall. However, most of the Italian letters and numbers are the same as Spanish ones and since everything is spelled phonetically and that's what the quiz is over tomorrow I think I'll be okay. I'm listening to some guy read the months to me in Italian.

I can't wait for the mega fair this Sunday. All the clubs on campus are gathering on Cooke field and we can go "shopping" for activities. I already signed up for the Stage Left Production of Rocky Horror Picture Show. Tech crew sign ups are August 29 and 30 at 8:30 and 7:00 respectively. I could just spot for this show. That wouldn't require too much time and I could get use to the theatre while I stay active. I don't think the Pagan organization here is very active. It's listed under the official clubs but I can't find much information on it. I also want to check out the club that brought The All-American Rejects to campus and see if the SOUL kids are a club or just a job.

Tonight after class Stephanie, Lindsay, and I went uptown for dinner. We ended up eating at La Bodega and it was really good. There's no Panera Bread here but the sandwiches at La Bodega are comprable. I'll finish my Italian then I'll finally have time to finish loading The Sims and start a book before my Corridor meeting at 9:45. Then it's off to bed for me because I have a 8 am class tomorrow I can't handle them yet!

23 August 2005

Classes begin tomorrow. My very first class in college is Anthropology. I think it's a sign for my future job... I really hope I'm not part of the 60-some% that changes majors. I really wanna be happy doing what I though I really enjoyed. But I guess if I change majors it'll be for good reason and that'll make me happier then Anthropology would. So, all-in-all, everything will be okay.

Today was convocation. The ceremony was a little extreme and I just kinda wish we could have just gotten to Millet on our own but I enjoyed hearing Anne Patchet talk. Afterward we convocation was over we were suppose to attend some book discussion but me and girl I met yesterday names Staphanie got lost and we ended up just heading back to the dorm. Unfortunatley, I locked myself out of my room and Felicia did go to that discussion! So I hung out with Stephanie in her room. She brough a futon and that's just kick-ass! Then Tom called! He's back from his bonding experience and it sounded like he had a good time. I'm just glad I'll be able to talk to him again.

After that Stephanie and I went walking around and figured out where all our classes are. Tomorrow's gonna be pretty easy but when I walk to English 111 that's all the way in Western campus! That's a lot farther then just down the steps! Oh well, that isn't until Wednesday. Tomorrow I have Anthropology, Italian, and Zoo. Only three classes but one of them is two hours long so that's still a lot. I'm gonna be stressing once homework picks up... at least I think I will. Maybe I won't, that'd be nice, I shouldn't dream though!

Okay, if my Anthro class is 8:00, I'll need to leave the dorm by 7:45, just to be safe and I should get up around 7. That means I should get to bed around midnight tonight to make sure I get enough good-for-me sleep. College officially starts tomorrow!

21 August 2005

That's right. I've actually made it. I'm here at Miami University and I'm officially a college student. It's... different. I haven't really had any experiences to tell you if I love it or hate it yet but right now I'm feeling like I could do this. My only real set back as of now as been my computer. It just didn't deal with iTunes the way I wanted it to. See, it reset my iPod when I installed it so I lost all my music (that's 1000 songs kids). Major bummer. Other then that, things are going smoothly and I'm a happy camper.

Tonight I'm heading Uptown to catch a concert. Someone booked the All American Rejects so it'll be cool to see them. Maybe I'll take my camera to snap a picture or two and wave them under Tom's nose. He's a much bigger fan of the band then I am. I'm just so tired all I want to do is sleep. So much for the hearty party ideas of college kids. Yeah, you'll find me curled up in bed just trying to sleep! Well, I'm off to pick a new desktop and screensaver for my computer. Possibly digital blasphemy and lord of the rings? Maybe I'll throw some Flogging Molly if I deem it worthy. College life will be a lot better after I catch up on my sleep.

19 August 2005

I'm officially a college student tomorrow. I can't believe it. I'm freaking out but I think for all the wrond reasons. The main reason I sorta don't want to go? I'm gonna miss my puppy, Shelby entirely too much. If she could come with me I'd be perfectly happy.

But I suppose everyone has that one thing that if they could just take that to college they wouldn't be nervous about going. I mean with most people it's something a little more normal, such as a parent, a girlfriend, or a boyfriend. Me? It's a dog.

All this week I've been doing the family thing. We went to a place called Frankenmuth, Michigan for a couple days. It was one of the most chessiest places I've ever been to. Oh well, it was a kinda fun getaway. We played mini golf and had lots of yummy food. It was reasonabley enjoyable.

I've almost finished packing. All I need to do is take a shower then pack up my toiletries. I can't believe in 24 hours I'll be lounging around my dorm room. Probably my room will even be put together. I could blog on my new lap top! Oh the fun of it!

15 August 2005

Oh goodness, we just got back from Longhorn and I had entirely too much food. My little blue friend? Yeah, he's me, ready to explode!

Tom left today. Last night we went to Wild Ginger in the middle of a crazy Thunderstorm and the power went out when we sat down. So we had a romantic, sushi dinner with no power. It was kinda cool. But he's gone and Chanda's gone and I'm pretty much alone now. Carolyn's still around but David is too so I don't count for much as of now. But it's actually kinda okay because tomorrow I'm leaving with my parents to Michigan until Wednesday. We're going up to a place called Frankenmuth? I dunno, supposedly we use to go there all the time but I don't remember it.

Since we're doing that and then I leave on Friday I startd packing today. I had this dream last night that I went to Miami and then realized I left all the boxes I packed my life into at home! It worried me so much in my sleep that when I woke up I resolved myself to start packing today. I have all my clothes packed up as well as my laundry and other household supplies in a basket. I think I'll get my books, tv, and DVDs packed up tonight then I'll do the rest Thursday. I also have to pack for this trip. Goodness, I'll certainly be living outta bags and boxes for a while!

11 August 2005

Firsts:First best friend: Kailee... she's the one I swear you look just like.First car: 1994 teal Mazda protegé... that's what I'm still driving, so look for that tomorrow!First real kiss: ummm, I think I was in the 7th grade. It was my first real boyfriend, Billy.First break-up: 7th gradeFirst screen name: I don't remember, it had something to do with Tennis and being a girl though lol!First funeral: my grandpaFirst pets: a hamster named WhiskersFirst piercing: the only ones I still have, my earsFirst credit card: my parents got it for me when I went to europe with my band... it's blue and looks like it has waves on it! lol I still have it

Lasts:Last cigarette: dont smokeLast car ride:I drove to the oardc to visit by boyfriendLast kiss: yesterday I said I saw my boyfriend!Last good cry: either when I watched Finding Neverland or read the 6th Harry PotterLast library book checked out: The Chronicles of ChrestomanciLast movie seen: Sky HighLast phone call: TomLast time showered: last nightLast shoes worn: one of my numerous pairs of flip flopsLast item bought: hmmm, oh! i remember! my birth control... i take it because I have abnormal periods without it, not because i'm a slut or anything lolLast annoyance: my mom (as usual)Last disappointment: it's summer... I'm pretty chillLast time wanting to die: my sophomore year... hey me too!Last shirt worn: an orange t-shirt with three monkeys on it by Paul FrankLast website visited: my modblogWhat Color underwear are you wearing?: white with a big monkey on the butt and a little bow in front lol!What's under your bed?: a sleeping bag, lots of magazines... anything else i'm not sure ofWhat time did you wake up today?: 9:30Currents:Current mood: lethargicCurrent music: I'm watching Rollie Pollie Ollie on the Disney Channel lol!Current hair: brownCurrent clothes: pjs and a tank top that says Miami University 09! woo-hooCurrent annoyance(s):the fact that I have to leave for a dermatologist appointment in 40 mintues. There just isn't enough time!Current book(s): Still rereading the Chronicles of NarniaCurrent color of toenails: blackCurrent time- 10:19 amCurrent hate: still feeling kinda anti-bushOne or the Other:1. Black or white?: black2. Boxers or briefs: boxers3. Coke or Pepsi?: pepsi4. Salt or pepper?: salt5. Sweet or sour?: sweet6. Vanilla or chocolate?: vannila7. Short or long?: long hair for me too... i miss my long hair sooo much!8. Cheap or expensive?: well... if i have to buy it, cheap... but if some one else is buying it for me expensive! lol9. Firm or soft? *awkward* lol10. Hot or cold?: usually hot drinks but I prefer freezing to sweatingMy favorite...1. Color is: orange2. Song is: anything by Flogging Molly, "Broken" by Amy Lee and Seether, and "Into the West" by Annie Lennox3. Scent is: anything tropically... like coconut or citrus4. Alcoholic beverage is: when i drank i was kinda fond of mike's hard lemonade and corona beer but i quit that stuff... i swear!5. Food is: sushi5 Things you are wearing right now: just to mix things up I took off all my clothes and now i'm taking this survey in the nude... lol only kiddig!5 things you did so far today : woke up, watch tv, mapquested directions to my doctor, took this survey... it's still very early in the morning5 things you do when you're bored: read, talk on the phone, play on the internet or computer, listen to music, watch movies5 people that never fail to cheer you up: my guy friends... they're all insane! you'll have to meet them!

09 August 2005

So, my roomate got me into the website, The Facebook, and I really think you should check it out. It's more for college students then anyone else really but it's uber cool. It's a great way to keep in touch with friends from high school and meet new ones at your college. My name's Megan Dice and you should really look me up and add me as a friend if you have an account! It'll make me feel all good an special to have more friends on facebook!

Today, Andrew, Tom, Kevin, and I are planning to go to a Gap. Why is that? Because Gap has a promotion with iTunes that if you try on a certain pair of pants you get a free song from iTunes. Very cool. So we're gonna go do it. There are three pairs of girls pants and a pair of guys pants to try. I think that boys should offer to try on all four to get four free songs. It makes more of an impact if the guys offer to try on girls pants. It doesn't mean that much if I offer to try on all three girls pants and the guys. It just isn't as funny. Who knows, I need another pair of jeans, maybe I'll end up buying the pair of pants I try on. I also need a coupld pairs of cords but I'll probably save getting those until I go shoppinf with Felicia! I'm uber excitied! We're heading up to Beachwood Place and we're just gonna hang out. It's gonna be great to meet her before school starts and create a real bond. Oh, she loves Rent. That just means sooo much to me! She'll come see the movie with me! And, if she likes Rent she must be okay with homosexuals... or as they say in Rent, "fag-out, lezzies, dykes, cross-dressers too". If she's that cool then I'd hope the fact that I'm a Pagan won't weird her out too much. I made this "soul quiz" and sent it to her and told her there. I hope she isn't too weirded out. I don't think she will be... she sounds so cool but you never know. Maybe she's just never heard of people following the Old Religions before. I'm sure she'll be cool with it. I'm just getting worked up for nothing. *Deep breathe* Okay, I'm gonna go read more Chronicles of Narnia. *Squeal* I LOVE these books. I can't wait for the movie!